Well, time for me to put my foot in it. 
I work in the IT/MIS field, a highly technical, highly competitive field. In this arena, MS Certifications are near guarntees to a higher income. A+ Certifications are looked well upon, to a slightly lesser degree. CCNA, CISSP and so forth: All are incredible income boosters, even job requirements: "No CISSP need apply. CCNA required." There are no state/federal standards mandating these certifications, but things expected in the industry.
If you feel that a certification will help, GO FOR IT! <smile> Three recommeded ones have already been noted. To those that dislike/disagree with the NNA, being a CNSA, I agree with some of the points as extremely valid. You always need to keep studying your OWN state notary and real estate laws. To those that point out that they've never been turned down for not having a certification, I also can agree with their very vaild points.
I feel, however, that having certifications will not PREVENT you from getting calls, but it will certainly make you more attractive to companies at first blush. This business is about reputation and trust. Not many folks here think the NNA has a good reputation, and cannot be trusted. If that opinion were held by the majority of the notary world, the NNA would not be as pervasive as it is. Please note: I am in NO WAY attempting to defend the NNA in matters where they are clearly wrong.
If a certification will engender a level of trust with a new client, a certification issued by a reputable presence in the notary field, then I say, "Well spent money. If nothing else, your knowledge increased when you were asked WRONG questions."
Take it or leave it, certifications play a role. Good or indifferent, but rarely bad.
Unless, of course, you got your certification at "Bob's Rib Hut and House of MBAs. (NSA certs in the back shed)" <laugh> Seriously, if you feel the need, go for it! You'll learn, which is the actual point of certifications!
HTH :-)
-P |
